Marcus
Byeman is jogging toward the sideline where a teammate aims a throw-in.
At first the teammate fakes his throw towards Byeman, but Byeman, with a
quick fling of his arm, indicates a teammate open farther up the field.
The teammate completes the suggested pass, and the Knights promptly go on
the attack.

The brief, silent
exchange shows the type of captain of the men's varsity soccer team Marcus
Byeman is: not vocal, not demonstrative, but nonetheless automatically
respected for his ability to see the field and direct the team. On the
field, he's one of the few people not shouting or frowning with determination.
Yet you can't watch the Knights for more than a few minutes without seeing
that Byeman is the anchor of the team, an air traffic controller of sorts
who keeps things running smoothly.

It's a role that
is comes both naturally and unnaturally to Byeman. On the one hand, he
plays so fluidly and unhurried that his leadership seems effortless. On
the other, he doesn't relish being the center of teammates' attention.
"I try to lead more by example," Byeman said. "I'll get excited, but the
most I'll do is smile. The emotion's there, I just don't show it."

His lack of histrionics
should not be construed as a lack of passion for the game. Byeman's background
is full of soccer, ever since he grew up playing the game in Redmond,
Washington. He would go on to star at Eastlake High School in Redmond
and notch a pair of state championships. Soon he found himself on the
wanted list of schools like Santa Clara, Air Force and Wheaton. Byeman
said only Calvin could offer the right blend of soccer, faith and the
engineering program he was looking for. About the only drawback was it
wasn't out West, which Byeman clearly considers home. "Grand Rapids makes
me appreciate home a little more," Byeman said. "We have a lot of rain
[back home], so when it rains here, it makes me feel at home."

Byeman, after maintaining
a 3.4 GPA in Calvin's rigorous engineering regime, though undecided about
whether to go to graduate school or get a job right after graduation in
May, has a hunch he may end up back on the west coast. For now though,
he's putting the finishing touches on a fine Calvin career. In his four
years starting on the varsity, three as the team's captain, he's made
the All-MIAA first team twice and was named the league's Most Valuable
Player.

"Marcus is one of
the most complete soccer players I have seen since I have been at Calvin,"
said Calvin men's soccer coach Dave VerMerris. "He has leadership, soccer
skills and a keen knowledge of the game. He's got the whole package and
it's been like that all three years that I have been coach."

Byeman has served
as a team captain since his sophomore year, a fact not unnoticed by VerMerris.
"The fact that he has been voted team captain since he was a sophomore
really said something about his leadership and what his teammates think
of him," said VerMerris. "He is also respected by other teams and coaches
that we play. He is respected not only for his soccer skills but what
kind of person he is."

Early this season
Byeman was named the league's player of the week for the third time in
his career. The team has steadily improved to mirror the fruition of Byeman's
career. Last season the Knights finished 16-3-1, the second-best record
in team history, and tied for the league title, its first piece of the
MIAA crown in eight years. This year, key losses and ties hampered the
Knights, putting them in fourth place.

Despite the disappointing
finish, Byeman is proud that the Knights' Christian character shows up
on the field. "I used to think you could be a different person on the
soccer field," Byeman said. "Now I think people are more the same. I don't
think your character changes." Byeman said being "Christ-oriented" has
to do with "the way you conduct yourself on the field . not tackling someone
cheaply, watching your language. In a pressure situation, are you going
to screw up or play composed?"

His actions on the
field speak volumes about the type of person he is according to VerMerris.
"Marcus is a young man who is very committed to his Christian faith,"
said VerMerris.

If Byeman's quiet
but warm personality and strong faith have anything to do with his steady
play on the field, he seems to prove his own point. Byeman seems to be
the only player who doesn't run at full throttle; he doesn't need to.
He plays the game at the perfect pace; never in a rush, yet instantly
appearing behind startled opponents.

His feet don't stray
far beyond shoulder width when he kicks, and while the majority of fellow
players grimace with every long kick, Byeman must have one of the least-strained
hamstrings in the league. Handling the ball, Byeman is in full control.
Passing, he is precise. When he's ganged up on by two defenders, you get
the feeling that's what it takes to make it a fair fight, and still Byeman
typically finds a way to zip a pass upfield anyway.

Given this rhythm
of the game that has made him one of Division III's best ball controllers,
it's not surprising to hear him say the game will always be a part of
him.

"I'll always be
able to kick the ball around with my friends," Byeman said. "If I don't
play for a while, soccer balls start to spin in my head."